What do you think are the hardest interview questions and how do you handle them?

SPC Chad Kolod — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:29:23 -0400

I am doing a project and am trying find the hardest to answer interview questions. After I get a good list I will attempt to come up with strategies for handling them. This is for a project I am doing in school. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made Jun 17 at 2015 9:30 PM

SPC Chad Kolod — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:30:15 -0400

For me it is the "what is your biggest weakness?"

Response by SCPO Lee Pradia made Jun 17 at 2015 9:35 PM

SCPO Lee Pradia — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:35:43 -0400

Where do you see yourself in 3-5 yrs? Why do you want to work here? How do you deal with adversity? Now, do your homework on the company, ask them why they work here? Ask about opportunities for advancement.

Response by SCPO Lee Pradia made Jun 17 at 2015 9:48 PM

SCPO Lee Pradia — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:48:01 -0400

Sorry, my phone is tripping. When asked where do you see yourself in a specific time, don't answer, where your sitting, talk about you goals in the organization. You want to work there because of their support of veterans, the climate, the morale, family support, do your research on the company, look at there strengths and weaknesses, use that to your advantage.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 10:05 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:05:04 -0400

I always asked "Why should I not hire you for this job?"

Except for the two that told me because they stole from their last employer the answer to the question was was not as important as the reaction to the question.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 17 at 2015 10:21 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:21:07 -0400

"What is your greatest weakness?"

I am a workaholic.

I cannot stand to miss deadlines.

I hate going over budget.

I cannot let significant details go unresolved.

Response by PO3 Celesta (Fox,Parks) Davis made Jun 17 at 2015 10:25 PM

PO3 Celesta (Fox,Parks) Davis — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:25:13 -0400

The hardest ones I've encountered are still the ones that start out, "Tell me about a time when...". The reason I find them difficult is that how does one answer the ones for which you honestly have no answer? For example... "Tell me about a time when you were sitting at your desk and a purple giraffe with big orange spots walked through the front door." What if you've never encountered that particular "crisis"? Do they want you to say, "Well, I've never encountered that issue", would they believe you if you did say that, or do they want you to make something up?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 10:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:40:02 -0400

"If I were to ask your previous boss what your greatest weakness/strength is/are, what would they say?"

One interview I went into, I went extremely prepared with answers to all the most common interview questions asked.

I expected one of the first question(s) to be, "tell me what your greatest weakness/strengths are?"....you can imagine my surprise when they threw that little twist.

I can't recall what I answered for that question, however, my other answers must have impressed them, because I was offered the job.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 18 at 2015 12:05 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 00:05:57 -0400

The hardest question to answer honestly is "Give my your honest opinion of your supervisor and those you work with."

Response by SFC James Reeder made Aug 10 at 2015 10:19 PM

SFC James Reeder — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 22:19:38 -0400

During the interview process for my current position, I was asked for an instance where I cost my previous employer resources by a mistake I had made. After a brief pause, I told the interviewer I could not recall an instance, but I turned it into a positive by explaining a situation where I saved my employer resources by using available assets instead of having a contractor complete the task.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 18 at 2017 12:13 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:13:10 -0400

The 'hardest' question is always the one that caught you without an answer, so it is going to vary for each person and each interview. IF you are going to try to throw someone a fastball, know why you are doing and what you are looking for, there are two parts to an interview and do not forget why you are there.

Response by CW3 Susan Burkholder made Jul 18 at 2017 12:39 PM

CW3 Susan Burkholder — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:39:22 -0400

This is my favorite article on this topic. Although it doesn't sound like it will help you much because you probably can't plagiarize the article. But still, it's a hilarious read and expertly, succinctly and comprehensively sums up the absurdity of all interviews!!!

10 smart answers to dumb interview questions by Forbes Magazine's Liz Ryan

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/08/21/ten-smart-answers-to-dumb-interview-questions/#283ba536151f